10 Alternative Places That Give Málaga Its “Hipster” Vibe

August 8, 2016

Málaga has become much more hipster. Here are 10 of our favorite “hipster” places in Málaga that should be on your list.

Have you noticed? In the last few years Málaga has become more hipster; and I don’t just mean “hipster” in that there are more bars with vintage furniture, The Pixies on the radio or a menu with the dishes listed in English. I mean hipster in the sense of indie culture, art and that different touch that we think of when someone mentions the word “hipster.” As always, you can’t always see these things at first glance. You have to know where to look for the places that have that authentic feel. Here are 10 of our favorite spots in “hipster” Málaga that you can’t afford to miss.

Recyclo Bike Café

Photo (by-nc-nd) by Uncovering Spain

Not only is this a place with eclectic decor, but it’s also a spot with a menu full of healthy options and delicious brunch dishes. We tend to go on Sundays because there is an outdoor terrace where you can sit with your dog and free WiFi. It’s the perfect energy to get a little bit of work done. Of course, that’s not all; the Recyclo Bike Café also has healthy lunches and artisan beers, as well as a bike shop to fix your ride. In fact, they offer a discount on your food and drink if you are a client of the bike shop!

La Casa Invisible

Photo (by-nc-nd) by Uncovering Spain

Literally translated as “The Invisible House,” La Casa Invisible is tucked away behind the Plaza de los Mártires. It is part social club, part cultural center that offers ongoing workshops for the community including language classes, yoga, theater, African drums, tango, singing, flamenco and more. They also have a bar in the patio where you can enjoy a cold beer of wine (with your dog if you like) in a bohemian atmosphere. I should also mention that there is an artisan market the first and third Saturdays of every month.

Flamingos Vintage Kilo Málaga

Photo (by-nc-nd) by Uncovering Spain

If you are looking for vintage clothing, this shop on calle Ollerías is a great spot. It reminds me of the places in Brooklyn where there was a little bit of everything and you had to look through mountains of clothes before finding the perfect top or purse. If you want something that no one else has, this is the perfect place to find it. The people who work at Flamingos Vintage Kilo are really nice, as well, and always willing to help you find what you’re looking for.

Street Art in Soho

Photo (by-nc-nd) by Uncovering Spain

The neighborhood of the arts in Málaga has done a complete 180 in the last few years. It used to be a less desirable neighborhood in Málaga, but now Soho is filled with street art by some of the most well known artists in the world including Obey and D*Face. You can’t leave Málaga without visiting the streets of this neighborhood where is always some new street art to see on the walls.

La Térmica

Photo (by-nc-nd) by Uncovering Spain

La Térmica is also a cultural and social space located in the gorgeous building that started out as a military hospital and home for orphans. Now it’s home to community workshops, artists in residence and cultural initiatives in Málaga. Sometimes they have interesting exhibits and other times there are shows, live music, conferences or other activities. The goal is to cultivate creative ideas and help to promote artistic talent in Málaga.

La Madriguera

Photo (by-nc-nd) by Uncovering Spain

If you are a fan of craft beer; La Madriguera is one the places we like best. It’s a bit small, but sometimes they have live music. There are also beer tastings and they are always willing to suggest a good beer or something to munch on while you enjoy your drink. It’s a place that Málaga needed and we’re glad to have found it on calle Carreterías.

El Microteatro

Every week the Microteatro presents short plays that last 15 minutes in 15 square meters for an audience of 15. In addition to being a “micro” theater, it is also an exhibition space for artists, workshops and plays for children. In the gastrobar you can grab something to eat after the show and, of course, since the shows change often, this is a place you can come back to again and again!

Drunk-o-Rama Cafe Bar

Among other events, this bar in the historic center of Málaga is the place where Vermouth-o-Rama was born. It’s basically an afternoon filled with music, paella and vermouth. Drunk-o-Rama also holds events like poetry readings, clothing exchanges, live music, tapas…and drinks, obviously. As they said on their Facebook page, “Málaga is the new Barcelona???? El DRUNKO IS THE NEW BERLIN.”

Cines Albéniz

It’s true that this movie theater is in the center of Málaga and we’ve all passed by it a million times; but it is also true that they show the best independent movies in their original version. We love that Cines Albéniz looks like an old fashioned movie house and the offering of films ranging from Hollywood to cartoons to independent French movies that none (or maybe all) of our friends want to see.

Casa Sostoa

This art gallery is way off the beaten path. Actually, it’s in a private home where you can view art everywhere, including the bathroom! Intrigued? Casa Sostoa is a project created by Pedro Alarcón in an effort to break with the conventional ideas of seeing art in a museum by bringing it to a more intimate and familiar space. The only catch is that you have to call ahead to make an appointment to visit Casa Sostoa, although we’re pretty sure that it’s worth the effort for a project this cool.

Looking for a place to stay in Málaga?

Of course, if you come to visit Málaga you’ll want to stay for more than one day. There is so much to see, (in addition to enjoying some fried fish and a cold beer on the beach!) Check out the best options for hotels in Málaga or apartments where you can share a room and meet some new people (in addition to saving a euro or two).

About me

I was born and raised in Pennsylvania, USA. I've lived in Reading and Pittsburgh (PA), in New York City for 6 years and in Spain for 5 years (in Madrid, Sevilla, Barcelona, and now Málaga). I designed Rusko!